Paragon II

November 4, 2014

The Concept

The Paragon is a modular power sport kit designed for kids aged 6 to 12. It allows them to build several types of power sport vehicles using sub-assembly kits and simple tools. The starter pack is simple and easy to use. It is also possible to purchase additional kits to upgrade the vehicle, convert it into other machines, in this case an ATV, and a Personal Water Craft (PWC).

The Background

Kids and teens love to assemble and disassemble things to understand how they work. They also love to drive machines in all types of weather, year-round. The Paragon kit is intended to help them learn the concepts of mechanics and to provide them with a power sport kit that they can use and play with all year long. You could say it’s an Erector kit for grown-ups.

How it works

The Paragon kit would include four vehicles or more. For example, imagine a motorcycle and a snowmobile using the same frame. Delivery via a shipping crate includes all the assembly instructions and the basic tools (similar to IKEA’s self-assembly concept). The motor included in the basic kit is not too powerful, since it is intended for children and teens. It could be a low cost 7 to 15hp engine built-in with a transmission.

This Paragon concept is not about performance, but rather about stimulating creativity, imagination and resourcefulness. With a basic kit, a teenager could, for example, assemble an ATV and then convert it to a simple water craft using the parts included in the kit. (The boat image or intentionally left uncompleted)

Of course, teens should work on the kit with their parents and friends. They can also get some help from the online Paragon community. I think it would be possible to develop a series of optional kits that would increase the number of possible configurations for young do-it-yourselfers so they could build, ride and invent all kinds of vehicles.

What it’s used for

I think a kit such as Paragon would give teens an opportunity to try different machines at a fraction of the price. More importantly still, it could help them better understand the basic principles of physics (traction, torque, buoyancy, combustion, etc.). A concept like the Paragon also initiates youth into the exciting world of power sports.

The Designer

The Paragon II concept was developed in collaboration with Sebastian Campos Möller, an award winning Industrial Designer from Mexico; Sebastian graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design and specializes in 3D modeling for additive and subtractive prototyping and concept development for human centered products. Sebastian has also produced the concept images for the Cosmos concept.